Podcasts about dakota county

The Trump Administration says it will shrink a humanitarian agency that it has accused of fraud and abuse and fold it into the State Department. We'll talk with U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar. one of the Democrats pushing back on this move. Minnesota does not have enough psychiatric beds to meet the need in the state. We'll learn about a new facility in Dakota County that could help.MPR News host Angela Davis recently traveled to Montgomery, Alabama with a group of Minneapolis police officers and Black community members. She'll share a sneak peek of the radio documentary that comes out Wednesday. Plus, celebrate Black History Month in the Twin Cities with a film festival happening Tuesday night. We'll meet one of the filmmakers.Our Minnesota Music Minute was “Moqueca” by Room3 and our Song of the Day was “City Swans” by Neko Case.

Minnesota has been facing a psychiatric bed shortage. In a 2023 Minnesota Department of Health study, the top reason for discharge delays from Minnesota hospitals is a lack of availability of psychiatric beds. The study found some patients were spending as long as two weeks in a hospital waiting for psychiatric bed placement. There is a new facility hoping to ease some of those pains. The Crisis and Recovery Center in West St. Paul held it's ribbon cutting on Monday. The facility will have 16 psychiatric beds. It's run by Dakota County and the non-profit Guild, which provides mental health services. Deputy Director of Dakota County Social Services Emily Schug and Guild's CEO Trish Thacker joined Minnesota Now to talk about the new facility.

On Saturday agriculture regulators will begin testing milk produced in Minnesota for H5N1 – the virus commonly known as avian influenza or bird flu. The disease has forced poultry farmers to kill about 9 million birds in Minnesota since 2022. Earlier in January, a turkey grower in Dakota County lost nearly 80,000 birds. The situation is also driving up the price of eggs.  In spring 2024, the disease showed up in cows. Minnesota had its first case in dairy cattle in June 2024 and saw nine total outbreaks that year. No humans in the state have gotten sick with H5N1, but there have been 67 confirmed cases in humans elsewhere in the country.   Public health and veterinary experts say this problem is not going away. They're pointing out what they say are missteps in the response so far. Carol Cardona, a professor in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Minnesota joined Minnesota Now with her perspective and concerns about the virus.

Dakota County bagging Event on February 8th!

Dakota County bagging Event on February 8th!

A Nebraska man accused of quadruple homicide in Laurel has been found guilty by a Dakota County jury. Thursday morning, the jury convicted Jason Jones with four counts of first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree arson, and four counts of the use of a firearm to commit a felony. Thursday afternoon, the court held an aggravation hearing to determine whether the nature of Jones' crimes make him eligible for the death penalty.

A Nebraska man accused of quadruple homicide in Laurel has been found guilty by a Dakota County jury. Thursday morning, the jury convicted Jason Jones with four counts of first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree arson, and four counts of the use of a firearm to commit a felony. Thursday afternoon, the court held an aggravation hearing to determine whether the nature of Jones' crimes make him eligible for the death penalty.

The trial for a Nebraska man accused of killing four of his neighbors in the village of Laurel got underway in Dakota County Thursday. Defendant Jason Jones did not appear in court. Prosecuting attorney Corey O'Brien said the state has plans to show the jury more than 1,000 pieces of evidence, including photos, videos and physical objects incriminating Jones. Defense attorney Matthew McDonald said Jones had a mental breakdown the night of the homicides and therefore should not be charged with first-degree, pre-meditated murder. The trial is expected to continue over the next few weeks.

The trial for a Nebraska man accused of killing four of his neighbors in the village of Laurel got underway in Dakota County Thursday. Defendant Jason Jones did not appear in court. Prosecuting attorney Corey O'Brien said the state has plans to show the jury more than 1,000 pieces of evidence, including photos, videos and physical objects incriminating Jones. Defense attorney Matthew McDonald said Jones had a mental breakdown the night of the homicides and therefore should not be charged with first-degree, pre-meditated murder. The trial is expected to continue over the next few weeks.

The Dakota County Fair is now open and will run through Sunday. The organizers of the fair, which is one of the largest County Fairs in the state, work all year long putting the event together, and take great pride in presenting something that families return to year-after-year, knowing what to expect and looking forward […]

Mohamed Aden Hared, age 24 of Faribault, has been charged in Dakota County with second degree murder in connection with the death of Ahmed Ibrahim Cariif, age 22 of Faribault.   According to the criminal complaint, Cariff was shot in the parking lot of an Amazon Order Fulfillment location in Lakeville, where the two worked.   Hared, […]

“Good Morning Red Wing” News Director Greg Taylor talks with Representative Pam Altendorf who recently gave the Red Wing City Council a recap of the legislative session. This segment will be airing her presentation. Altendorf represents District 20A, which includes Goodhue County, much of Wabasha County, and Douglas Township and Miesville in Dakota County.

Last month, a shootout in Burnsville took the lives of three first responders.It all stemmed from a 911 call reporting domestic abuse. Suspect Shannon Gooden, who later died by suicide, had previously been accused of intimate partner violence by at least three different women.Three guests in the domestic violence space joined MPR News guest host Catharine Richert — not to talk about Gooden's case specifically — but how it highlights the complexities of domestic violence cases.Richert and her guests talked about why a restraining order, or even the death of an abuser, doesn't mean the violence or the trauma is over.They also discussed challenges in the legal system that sometimes allow kids to remain with abusive parents, and how the court system can sometimes work against victims of domestic violence.And they heard from survivors of abuse about how the system failed them, time and time again.Guests:  Stacie Burke is a domestic and sexual violence advocate at 360 Communities.Sharon Jones is the Executive Director of Legal Assistance of Dakota County.Meggie Royer is the Youth and Prevention Program Manager with Violence Free Minnesota.

Chip Scoggins joins Chad to discuss the news of a contract extension for Wolves point guard Mike Conley and other sports topics before we return to discussion about the tragedy in Burnsville with Dakota County Sheriff Joe Leko.

After Sunday's shooting deaths of two Burnsville police officers and a paramedic, Dakota County Sheriff Joe Leko joins Chad with talk about the tragic situation and how his office and the community are coming together to support everyone impacted.

Minnesota tax rebate recipients must turn over some of their money to the IRS. And Democrats will retain a six-seat edge in the Minnesota House after a special election for a seat encompassing parts of Dakota County.This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Todd Melby. Music by Gary Meister.

Henry Lake was in for Jason. He talked about a Dakota County decision on creating a homeless shelter and a necessary shift in how we think about homelessness in general.

When Lillian Hang's parents immigrated to the United States from Laos in the late 1970s, they were already experienced farmers.  “It was one skill that they had coming to a ‘foreign land,' where they didn't know the language, they didn't know the culture, they didn't know the system,” she said. “It was the one thing mom and dad could do to provide for themselves.”Lillian Hang's family started out with backyard plantings of squash, green beans and corn. Then they expanded into growing in plots in the exurbs south of the Twin Cities and selling produce at the St. Paul Farmers' Market. They didn't earn a lot, but it was enough to pay for clothes or school books. But access to the land was precarious. They never knew if the landowner would renew the lease or sell the land to someone else.  From North Star Journey Live Growing diversity: The changing face of Minnesota farming “There's always a 50/50 chance that come the springtime, the land may not be there anymore,” Lillian Hang said. That uncertainty disappeared when the Hmong American Farmers Association closed on farmland just south of the Twin Cities in Dakota County last year. The more than 150 acres are home base for the organization and 20 families of Hmong farmers, providing some elders who came to the United States as refugees decades ago with the opportunity to plant seeds and literally put down roots on land they own.   ‘We can save ourselves'Land access has been an ongoing issue for farmers, especially those from diverse backgrounds, according to Robin Moore of the Land Stewardship Project, which advocates for sustainable agriculture. As it became harder for smaller farms to compete, surviving farms gobbled up their neighbors, leading to both land and wealth consolidation — mostly by white farmers.  “The face of farming has been primarily white, the idea of farmers has been primarily white, even though that's absolutely not true,” Moore said. “In the larger scale of things, it's just been financially less and less feasible to be a farmer of any kind, let alone a smaller scale farmer.”Hmong farmers in the last three decades have become an important part of the local food system in the state. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture found that about half the vendors at Twin Cities farmers' markets are of Hmong descent. But the principal operators of Minnesota farms are about 99 percent white.That's where the Hmong American Farmers Association (HAFA) came in. Co-founder and executive director Janssen Hang, Lillian's brother, said the initiative for the group was sparked at a meeting of non-profits and farmers more than a decade ago. “One farmer stood up and said, we need to stop waiting for people to save us and we can save ourselves,” Janssen Hang said. “That really led to the inception of HAFA.” HAFA formed in 2011 as a collection of Hmong farmers, most of whom sold at farmers markets. They noticed Hmong farmers were often at a disadvantage when dealing with agencies like the U.S. Department of Agriculture, banks or even local landowners, who would often hike up the rents for Hmong farmers. Janssen Hang said it was clear that farmers needed to band together.  “We know that you can't just stress land and have produce to grow but not have a market,” he said. “You can't just focus on land and market but not have access to credit and capital so that you can improve your farm operation. It's that whole cycle that needs to be addressed simultaneously.” Other efforts are being made to help diversify farming in the state, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture has a new Office of Emerging Farmers, which is tasked with helping farmers who have traditionally faced barriers in farming. The office got a $1.5 million boost in the last legislative session and took applications for hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants for farmers to get technical help or subsidies for crop insurance. “As commissioner, I saw the opportunity to open our programs to all farmers who maybe don't look like me, because I think we have a real thriving and changing demographic in Minnesota,” Commissioner Thom Petersen said. “Our Latino population is growing, our Somali population, our Hmong population and that provides a lot of opportunities, very agrarian in nature because, ultimately, one of my goals is to always have more farmers.”  HAFA has worked closely with partners, including the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Petersen said their project is a great example of the success that farmers with diverse approaches can have. “I do this too when I see a farmer, ‘Oh how big is your farm? How many cows do you have? How many acres do you have?'” Petersen said. “That's not always representative of what's done there — it's amazing the volume that farmers can grow on small acreages.” Working the farmIn 2014, an anonymous benefactor with a ten-year lease on the farmland offered it to HAFA. The farmers in HAFA each claimed plots of five or ten acres, and staff started working to set up the day-to-day operations of the farm, with an eye towards the ultimate goal of buying the land. If you drive south from the Twin Cities, the geography of big box stores and fast-food chains gives way to field after field of commodity crops like corn. But on Highway 52, in the township of Vermillion, there's a blink-and-you'll-miss-it break in the scenery as little red sheds dot the landscape, and farmers on foot go about their daily tasks. Walking into the plots, you'll see flowers for cut bouquets, high tunnels with rows of trellised heirloom tomatoes and even more obscure fruits like ground cherries, with the fruit tucked away in papery husks.Janssen Hang said the 10 HAFA staffers see their job as supporting the about 100 farmers who work on site. They help with everything from organizing agricultural trainings to providing a pool of shared equipment like potato planters and eco weeders. HAFA staff even demonstrate new farming techniques for sometimes skeptical farmers, including an analysis of costs associated with growing heirloom tomatoes in a high tunnel. Farmers were wary of spending $10,000 just to buy each tunnel, but Janssen Hang said they set up a tunnel and showed farmers that one season could bring in enough extra produce to pay for the costs of the tunnels plus some.  “The whole cooperative model is to help reduce the risk to farmers,” Janssen Hang said.  HAFA also helps farmers connect with new markets, including through a Community Sustained Agriculture program they run, test the soil and provide areas to wash and clean produce up to the required standards.The goal, Janssen Hang said, is to give these small farmers the support and resources they need to make a go of it in a state where the average farm size is more than 370 acres, according to the most recent U.S. Department of Agriculture numbers. They focus on mixed-vegetable production, most of which is done by hand, because they want to farm more sustainably than big farmers, who plant just one or two crops. Farmers at HAFA now grow about 160 varieties of crops on the land.  “You have fruits, you have vegetables, you have corn, you have beans, you have flowers,” Janssen Hang said. “It's about that biodiversity, so what we're trying to create here is an agro-ecological environment.”Moore of the Land Stewardship Project said groups like HAFA, and Hmong farmers in general, have been at the forefront of showing that more diverse farming, which supports pollinators and even native plants, can be successful.  In 2020, after working with allies at the State Capitol, HAFA was allotted $2 million to help the organization buy the land. They closed on the deal last September, which Janssen Hang said was a historic moment for “all immigrant and minorities across the United States to have the very first Hmong-owned nonprofit, collective farm.” The HAFA farm wasn't always an easy fit in mostly white Dakota County. Early on, HAFA farmers had a fence they built cut through during the night. Someone else painted swastikas on their garage. Some township officials seemed to show special interest in any perceived infractions by the farmers, although Janssen Hang said the “intensity” of their attention has diminished over the years. “They are supportive about the preservation of agriculture. Would I say that they have been very supportive from the very beginning?” he said. “No, they weren't.” After HAFA closed on the land, they found out that the Minnesota Department of Transportation decided to renovate the highway that bisects the HAFA land, eating into farmland and making it difficult for farmers to cross without a long detour or a sprint across the busy highway. They again took the issue to the Legislature, which allotted $2 million to the Minnesota Department of Transportation to build a box culvert that would allow farmers to safely cross or transport equipment like tractors. A spokesperson for the Minnesota Department of Transportation said they don't yet have a schedule for construction of the culvert, but look forward to working with HAFA on the details. Other plans to build an interchange that would have encroached on HAFA land was abandoned by Dakota County after opposition from HAFA and their allies, including the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA), which described the highway expansion as an issue of environmental justice. “Communities of color have traditionally carried the burden of road construction,” said MCEA attorney Evan Mulholland. “A preliminary look at the history of the highway development in Minneapolis and St. Paul and most other cities in the country, it's really striking how that happened — and it's not stopping.” Growing community at the farmJanssen Hang said owning the farm has changed how the farmers thought about themselves. They could now plant more perennials. Work on the soil. Make plans for the future.  The first generation of farmers is in their mid-60s. Ten years ago, Janssen Hang said the older generation thought farmwork was too hard for their children raised and educated in the United States. But after they bought the land, that changed for some, who now saw a future for their children or grandchildren in farming. “To me at the end of the day, having this conversation, I was like wow. This is what wealth is,” Janssen Hang said. “This is what intergenerational wealth is.”As a child, Lillian Hang, Janssen's sister, detested farming. While most of her classmates enjoyed summer breaks from school, she and her siblings were expected to wake up early to help their parents plant, weed or sell produce at farmers markets.   “Ask any Hmong kid and, man, no one liked it,” she said. “Half the time you are kind of embarrassed that you had to do it.”But decades later, Lillian Hang said it's grown on her. She said it's a bit symbolic that people who came to the United States as landless refugees are now putting down roots on their own land. “The whole purpose of us working so hard and studying so hard is so that we wouldn't have to farm,” she said. “Then ten, twenty years later we realized the importance of farming, not just bringing the extra income for the family, but the community that's built at the farm, the intergenerational community with the grandparents and kids.”Lillian Hang's mother passed away last year. Now, Lillian Hang brings her own kids, 9 and 11, to help her father with the physical labor. She said they're master kale washers.“I noticed from the way he interacts with my kids that he's teaching more,” she said. “‘This is how you plant the garlic, this is the best way to bundle kale. So he's really teaching us and sharing that knowledge and making sure that that knowledge and those experiences continue beyond him.” Judy Yang has been with HAFA since the beginning and said through a translator that owning the land has changed her life. Yang's son now hopes to follow in her footsteps: “My plan is and their plan is, they will stay a long time.” Corrections: (Sept. 15, 2023): An earlier version of the story misspelled the last name of Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen and misidentified Highway 52 in a photo caption.

Mark Langer provides information about events and attractions at the Dakota County Fair, August 7-13. For more details, visit dakotacountyfair.org.

 Mark Langer provides information about events and attractions at the Dakota County Fair, August 7-13. For more details, visit dakotacountyfair.org

State health officials on Monday said there are indications that norovirus is responsible for sickening dozens of swimmers and closing a popular beach in Dakota County. This is an MPR News morning update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.

March of the Governors, Governor #26 Edward John Thye (Series Podcast #28) Edward John Thye (1896-1969) was called Minnesota's “farmer-governor,” and aptly so. He was born on a farm in South Dakota, grew up on a farm near Northfield, maintained his own Dakota County farm during his political career, concentrated on farm issues during his twelve years in the US Senate, and retired to the farm when his political career ended. Thye was the son of Norwegian immigrants, served in France during World War I, sold tractors, farmed, and got into politics through his friend Harold Stassen, who appointed him assistant commissioner of agriculture in 1939. Stassen then effectively chose Thye to succeed him when he left the governorship for the Navy in 1943. Thye finished Stassen's term, won election easily in 1944, then moved on to the Senate in 1946. Eugene McCarthy defeated him in 1958. Paul Nelson, with host Ken Peterson

This week Megan is recapping “Deadly Attraction” which is from Season 1 Episode 14 of The Dead Files.We also discuss some big changes coming up for Season Four! We talk Maisel and Jewish Matchmaking as well as back pain, the Rainbow Bridge, gin blossoms, spider butts, ghostly soap operas, vivid dreams, dream journaling, and psychic office hours.Content Warning: In the recap portion does contain mention of child death. In our gab session prior we mention pet death and pet's killing other animals, not graphic, really, but a warning. Proceed with caution.  Also, we swear.The Activity Continues is a podcast where a couple of Soul Sisters, Amy & Megan, chat about the TV show, The Dead Files. Each week we each choose an episode to dissect and chat about. We also talk about true crime, ghost stories, haunts, dreams, and other creepy paranormal shit.So, grab your hankies, hop in the Cadillac, and join us when… The Activity Continues.This episode was recorded on May 15, 2023 and released on May 26, 2023.If you'd prefer to watch the video versions of our episodes, please see YouTube: https://bit.ly/TACpodYT  (no ads, yet)Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3iLoAqG (might have ads-we have no control over that)Episode linksThe Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5788792/ Jewish Matchmaking: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt19037620/ Psychic Kids (Amy's TV rec) https://g.co/kgs/WXUdrLShomer Negiah: https://d8gr8.com/shomer-negiah/YouTube links to shorts: https://www.youtube.com/@theactivitycontinues/shorts Dakota County paranormal Society: https://www.facebook.com/dakotacountyparanormal/ If you're looking for all our links and other info go here: https://bit.ly/TACaboutShark Week this year is July 11-18th AffiliatesThree Spirit Drinks. They create plant-based non-alcoholic elixirs. https://us.threespiritdrinks.com/theactivitycontinues and use the promo code THEACTIVITYCONTINUES for 15% off your entire order.Gobble. Meal kit service. Choose from a diverse menu of flavors and dietary options that includes meat, fish and vegetarian dishes. These dishes are usually ready in 15 minutes and you don't need to know how to cook! Get 6 meals for $36 (first time users only) using this link. https://gobble.sjv.io/TAC Thank you for listening, take care of yourselves. We'll see you next week!CreditsHosted by: Amy and MeganProduced by Amy at Collected Sounds Media, LLC.Theme song. “Ghost Story” and segment music by Cannelle https://melissaoliveri.com/  Become a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/theactivitycontinuesA Paranormal PodcastSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/collected-sounds2/donations

Empire Township in Dakota County becomes Minnesota's newest city Tuesday. Four years ago, Credit River in Scott County was the last township in Minnesota to become a city. This is a morning MPR News update, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.

State lawmakers are at work in St. Paul and moving forward with a number of proposals - listen for a roundup of what's happening this week. That includes a proposal to stop state funding for pregnancy crisis centers. We'll find out how that could change the resources for women who are pregnant. Are you looking for love? Maybe a matchmaker can help. We'll talk with one of the people behind "The Modern Yentas" - a match making group in the Twin Cities. We visit a ghost town in Dakota County and hear from Minnesota's first competitive cornhole player! Sunday kicked off the year of the rabbit or cat for some. Listen for a look at the celebration in New Ulm this week.

Join hosts Bryce and Meredith for a conversation with Dakota County Parks' Tom Lewanski to learn about the reintroduction of a bison herd into the area.

Michael Brodkorb was among the hundreds of people in the audience and they got quite the shock before the meeting started.

Michael Brodkorb was among the hundreds of people in the audience and they got quite the shock before the meeting started.

The We Are Water MN exhibit is on the road for its 2022 tour. Throughout the year, We Are Water MN will be visiting five different communities in the state of Minnesota: Winona, Lake City, Alexandria, Otter Tail County, and Dakota County. On The Watershed podcast, we'll be sharing series of episodes that reflect on the water stories of people who live in each of these places. We Are Water MN is currently visiting Dakota County. You can view the exhibit at the Pleasant Hill Library and outdoors at the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center October 13 through December 5. Learn more: https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/Environment/WaterResources/Pages/we-are-water.aspx On our final episode featuring Dakota County, our storytellers share about special places that formed their paths and commitments to water stewardship. We are Water MN is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension, with support from the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment and the National Endowment for the Humanities. To learn more about We Are Water MN, visit us at our website. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

The We Are Water MN exhibit is on the road for its 2022 tour. Throughout the year, We Are Water MN will be visiting five different communities in the state of Minnesota: Winona, Lake City, Alexandria, Otter Tail County, and Dakota County. On The Watershed podcast, we'll be sharing series of episodes that reflect on the water stories of people who live in each of these places. We Are Water MN is currently visiting Dakota County. You can view the exhibit at the Pleasant Hill Library and outdoors at the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center October 13 through December 5. Learn more: https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/Environment/WaterResources/Pages/we-are-water.aspx On today's episode, Dakota County storytellers share about the connection between the health of water, and health of ourselves. We are Water MN is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension, with support from the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment and the National Endowment for the Humanities. To learn more about We Are Water MN, visit us at our website. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

The We Are Water MN exhibit is on the road for its 2022 tour. Throughout the year, We Are Water MN will be visiting five different communities in the state of Minnesota: Winona, Lake City, Alexandria, Otter Tail County, and Dakota County. On The Watershed podcast, we'll be sharing series of episodes that reflect on the water stories of people who live in each of these places. We Are Water MN is currently visiting Dakota County. You can view the exhibit at the Pleasant Hill Library and outdoors at the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center October 13 through December 5. Learn more: https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/Environment/WaterResources/Pages/we-are-water.aspx On today's episode, we hear from Dakota County storytellers who share about the roles that water plays in the work they do. We are Water MN is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension, with support from the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment and the National Endowment for the Humanities. To learn more about We Are Water MN, visit us at our website. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

The We Are Water MN exhibit is on the road for its 2022 tour. Throughout the year, We Are Water MN will be visiting five different communities in the state of Minnesota: Winona, Lake City, Alexandria, Otter Tail County, and Dakota County. On The Watershed podcast, we'll be sharing series of episodes that reflect on the water stories of people who live in each of these places. We Are Water MN is currently visiting Dakota County. You can view the exhibit at the Pleasant Hill Library and outdoors at the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center October 13 through December 5. Learn more: https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/Environment/WaterResources/Pages/we-are-water.aspx On today's episode, we hear from Dakota County storytellers who share about the nature of water: what exactly is water, how do we describe it, and what philosophies of living can water teach us? We are Water MN is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension, with support from the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment and the National Endowment for the Humanities. To learn more about We Are Water MN, visit us at our website. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

There are fewer than 200 confirmed meteorite crash sites in the world. And just in the past week, the University of Minnesota has found one in Dakota County. Cathy Wurzer talks to Jim Cotter, a professor of Geology at the University of Minnesota – Morris. Every month on Minnesota Now, Professor Cotter tells the story of our state through geology.

The We Are Water MN exhibit is on the road for its 2022 tour. Throughout the year, We Are Water MN will be visiting five different communities in the state of Minnesota: Winona, Lake City, Alexandria, Otter Tail County, and Dakota County. On The Watershed podcast, we'll be sharing series of episodes that reflect on the water stories of people who live in each of these places. We Are Water has now arrived in Otter Tail County, where the Fergus Falls Public Library will be hosting the exhibit August 18 - October 10. Learn more: https://ottertailcountymn.us/project/we-are-water-mn/ On our final episode featuring Otter Tail County, our storytellers share about the ways that water strengthens bonds with family. We are Water MN is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension, with support from the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment and the National Endowment for the Humanities. To learn more about We Are Water MN, visit us at our website. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

The We Are Water MN exhibit is on the road for its 2022 tour. Throughout the year, We Are Water MN will be visiting five different communities in the state of Minnesota: Winona, Lake City, Alexandria, Otter Tail County, and Dakota County. On The Watershed podcast, we'll be sharing series of episodes that reflect on the water stories of people who live in each of these places. We Are Water has now arrived in Otter Tail County, where the Fergus Falls Public Library will be hosting the exhibit August 18 - October 10. Learn more: https://ottertailcountymn.us/project/we-are-water-mn/ Today, we hear from Otter Tail County community members who share about local efforts to slow the spread of aquatic invasive species. We are Water MN is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension, with support from the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment and the National Endowment for the Humanities. To learn more about We Are Water MN, visit us at our website. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

The We Are Water MN exhibit is on the road for its 2022 tour. Throughout the year, We Are Water MN will be visiting five different communities in the state of Minnesota: Winona, Lake City, Alexandria, Otter Tail County, and Dakota County. On The Watershed podcast, we'll be sharing series of episodes that reflect on the water stories of people who live in each of these places. We Are Water has now arrived in Otter Tail County, where the exhibit will be on display at the Fergus Falls Public Library August 18 - October 10. Learn more: https://ottertailcountymn.us/project/we-are-water-mn/ Today, we explore how specific water bodies in Otter Tail County have shaped community members' sense of place. We are Water MN is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension, with support from the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment and the National Endowment for the Humanities. To learn more about We Are Water MN, visit us at our website. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

We talk to Joshua Tuchscherer at Meshbesher & Spence who is representing the father of a boy who was killed by his mother. 

The We Are Water MN exhibit is on the road for its 2022 tour. Throughout the year, We Are Water MN will be visiting five different communities in the state of Minnesota: Winona, Lake City, Alexandria, Otter Tail County, and Dakota County. On The Watershed podcast, we'll be sharing series of episodes that reflect on the water stories of people who live in each of these places. We Are Water has now arrived in Otter Tail County, where the exhibit will be on display at the Fergus Falls Public Library August 18 - October 10. Learn more: https://ottertailcountymn.us/project/we-are-water-mn/ Today, we hear from community members who share about their relationships to the many (1,048!) lakes that make up Otter Tail County! We are Water MN is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension, with support from the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment and the National Endowment for the Humanities. To learn more about We Are Water MN, visit us at our website. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Mark Langer provides information about the Dakota County Fair.  

Mark Langer provides information about the Dakota County Fair.  

The We Are Water MN exhibit is on the road for its 2022 tour. Throughout the year, We Are Water MN will be visiting five different communities in the state of Minnesota: Winona, Lake City, Alexandria, Otter Tail County, and Dakota County. On this bonus episode, we explore Get the Lead Out, a program featured in the We Are Water MN exhibit. Get The Lead Out is an educational program to protect and restore the population of common loons in Minnesota by reducing their exposure to lead-based fishing tackle. Get the Lead Out Program Coordinator Steven Yang shares about the impacts of lead on loons and freshwater ecosystems, his personal experiences fishing and switching to lead-free fishing tackle, and how the Get The Lead Out program got to where it is today. Related Resources: Get the Lead Out Webpage: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/living-green/lead-free-fishing-tackle-get-lead-out Get the Lead Out Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeadOutMN/ Get the Lead Out Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadoutmn/ List of Lead-Free Tackles Manufacturers and Retailers: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/living-green/manufacturers-and-retailers-lead-free-tackle MN DNR Common Loon Program: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/eco/nongame/minnesota-loon-restoration-project.html Minnesota Loon Monitoring Program: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/eco/nongame/projects/mlmp_state.html To learn more about We Are Water MN, visit us at our website. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. We are Water MN is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension, with support from the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The We Are Water MN exhibit is on the road for its 2022 tour. Throughout the year, We Are Water MN will be visiting five different communities in the state of Minnesota: Winona, Lake City, Alexandria, Otter Tail County, and Dakota County. On The Watershed podcast, we'll be sharing series of episodes that reflect on the water stories of people who live in each of these places. We Are Water has now arrived in Alexandria, where the Legacy of the Lakes Museum is hosting the exhibit June 23 - August 15. Learn more: https://legacyofthelakes.org/ What touchpoints in your life have drawn you towards water? Today, we'll hear stories about the motivations that drive Alexandria community members towards water stewardship. We are Water MN is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension, with support from the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment and the National Endowment for the Humanities. To learn more about We Are Water MN, visit us at our website. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

The We Are Water MN exhibit is on the road for its 2022 tour. Throughout the year, We Are Water MN will be visiting five different communities in the state of Minnesota: Winona, Lake City, Alexandria, Otter Tail County, and Dakota County. On The Watershed podcast, we'll be sharing series of episodes that reflect on the water stories of people who live in each of these places. We Are Water has now arrived in Alexandria, where the Legacy of the Lakes Museum is hosting the exhibit June 23 - August 15. Learn more: https://legacyofthelakes.org/ Today, we consider how the time we spend on water informs the responsibilities we hold towards it. Alexandria residents share their concerns about local water quality and express hopes for how people can take action to protect and restore their valued water resources. We are Water MN is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension, with support from the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment and the National Endowment for the Humanities. To learn more about We Are Water MN, visit us at our website. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

The We Are Water MN exhibit is on the road for its 2022 tour. Throughout the year, We Are Water MN will be visiting five different communities in the state of Minnesota: Winona, Lake City, Alexandria, Otter Tail County, and Dakota County. On The Watershed podcast, we'll be sharing series of episodes that reflect on the water stories of people who live in each of these places. We Are Water has now arrived in Alexandria, where the Legacy of the Lakes Museum is hosting the exhibit June 23 - August 15. Learn more: https://legacyofthelakes.org/ Today, we celebrate Alexandria's active lake culture by hearing from community members who find enjoyment and meaning through spending time on the water. We are Water MN is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension, with support from the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment and the National Endowment for the Humanities. To learn more about We Are Water MN, visit us at our website. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Our Democrat of the Day is rep. Robert Bierman of district 57A (soon to be 56A), which includes portions of Dakota County and the south metro.

Our Democrat of the Day is rep. Robert Bierman of district 57A (soon to be 56A), which includes portions of Dakota County and the south metro.

The We Are Water MN exhibit is on the road for its 2022 tour. Throughout the year, We Are Water MN will be visiting five different communities in the state of Minnesota: Winona, Lake City, Alexandria, Otter Tail County, and Dakota County. On The Watershed podcast, we'll be sharing series of episodes that reflect on the water stories of people who live in each of these places. The We Are Water MN is currently in Lake City, where the Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance is hosting the exhibit at the Lake City Public Library April 28 through June 20. Learn more: https://www.lakepepinlegacyalliance.org/we-are-water-mn On this final episode featuring Lake City community members, we listen on stories of beholding water's beauty, from moments of still contemplation to moments of experiencing water's dynamic force firsthand. We'll be taking a short break and returning on June 24 for a new series of episodes centered on stories from our next host community: Alexandria, Minnesota. We are Water MN is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension, with support from the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment and the National Endowment for the Humanities. To learn more about We Are Water MN, visit us at our website. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

On these episode we learn about HAFA https://www.hmongfarmers.com/ Hmong American farmers occupy a unique place in the history of Minnesota's local foods movement. Since Hmong refugees began resettling from Laos and Thailand to Minnesota in the 1970s as political refugees after the Vietnam War, many families have relied on their agricultural heritage to make a living growing produce and flowers for local farmers markets. By the late 1980s, Hmong farmers had revitalized the Saint Paul and Minneapolis Farmers Markets, transforming them into some of the most vibrant markets in the country, while also changing Minnesota's taste buds for Thai chili peppers and Chinese bok choy. As hard working farmers, they provided the fresh produce that fueled the exponential growth of farmers markets into suburban communities and urban corridors, and greatly increased the supply of nutritious, affordable food. Today, Hmong American farmers are leading the Twin Cities local food economy, making up more than 50% of all the farmers in metropolitan farmers markets. Hmong farmers are at the center of a Minnesota-based local foods economy that according to AgStar Financial Services generates over $250 million in annual sales. Without Hmong farmers, this explosion of awareness and interest in local foods and small-scale farming in Minnesota would not be possible. Still, Hmong farmers continue to face many barriers to accessing land, financing, training, research and markets and building sustainable family businesses. In 2011, a group of Hmong American farming families formed the Hmong American Farmers Association (HAFA) because we believed the best people to support Hmong farmers are Hmong farmers themselves and that we are all lifted up when those who are affected by an unfair food system lead the change we seek. We formed with the mission to advance the prosperity of Hmong American farmers through cooperative endeavors, capacity building and advocacy. As part of an integrated approach to community wealth building, HAFA manages a 155-acre farm in Dakota County where member families can lease land, hone their business and agricultural practices, and sell produce to the HAFA Food Hub. The HAFA Food Hub aggregates and sells members' produce through community-supported agriculture (CSA) shares, schools, retailers and institutions. Through collective farm business development, education and advocacy, we are building paths to wealth creation, not just income generation, toward a sustainable, fair food economy for all.

The We Are Water MN exhibit is on the road for its 2022 tour. Throughout the year, We Are Water MN will be visiting five different communities in the state of Minnesota: Winona, Lake City, Alexandria, Otter Tail County, and Dakota County. On The Watershed podcast, we'll be sharing series of episodes that reflect on the water stories of people who live in each of these places. We Are Water has now arrived at Lake City, where the Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance is hosting the exhibit at the Lake City Public Library April 28 through June 20. Learn more: https://www.lakepepinlegacyalliance.org/we-are-water-mn On this episode, we'll listen on stories from Lake City community members who interact with water through creativity and the act of making things. By expressing our relationship with water through art-making, we can inspire others and strengthen our own hope for positive water futures. We are Water MN is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension, with support from the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment and the National Endowment for the Humanities. To learn more about We Are Water MN, visit us at our website. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

The We Are Water MN exhibit is on the road for its 2022 tour. Throughout the year, We Are Water MN will be visiting five different communities in the state of Minnesota: Winona, Lake City, Alexandria, Otter Tail County, and Dakota County. On The Watershed podcast, we'll be sharing series of episodes that reflect on the water stories of people who live in each of these places. We Are Water has now arrived at Lake City, where the Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance is hosting the exhibit at the Lake City Public Library April 28 through June 20. Learn more: https://www.lakepepinlegacyalliance.org/we-are-water-mn In today's episode, we explore how our actions towards water have ripple effects. How we treat our waters where we live ultimately affects those who live downstream. The attitudes we carry towards water now can influence those who see us as role models. We are Water MN is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension, with support from the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment and the National Endowment for the Humanities. To learn more about We Are Water MN, visit us at our website. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

The We Are Water MN exhibit is on the road for its 2022 tour. Throughout the year, We Are Water MN will be visiting five different communities in the state of Minnesota: Winona, Lake City, Alexandria, Otter Tail County, and Dakota County. On The Watershed podcast, we'll be sharing series of episodes that reflect on the water stories of people who live in each of these places. We Are Water has now arrived at Lake City, where the Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance is hosting the exhibit at the Lake City Public Library April 28 through June 20. Learn more: https://www.lakepepinlegacyalliance.org/we-are-water-mn Today, we listen in on what Lake City residents are doing to help Lake Pepin and its surrounding waters clean for humans and other creatures alike. We are Water MN is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension, with support from the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment and the National Endowment for the Humanities. To learn more about We Are Water MN, visit us at our website. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

The We Are Water MN exhibit is on the road for its 2022 tour. Throughout the year, We Are Water MN will be visiting five different communities in the state of Minnesota: Winona, Lake City, Alexandria, Otter Tail County, and Dakota County. On The Watershed podcast, we'll be sharing series of episodes that reflect on the water stories of people who live in each of these places. We Are Water has now arrived at Lake City, where the Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance is hosting the exhibit at the Lake City Public Library April 28 through June 20. Learn more: https://www.lakepepinlegacyalliance.org/we-are-water-mn Situated on the shore of Lake Pepin, Lake City residents are no strangers to water. Today, we orient ourselves to Lake City's connection with water through the lens of a popular way of life here: fishing. We are Water MN is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension, with support from the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment and the National Endowment for the Humanities. To learn more about We Are Water MN, visit us at our website. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

The We Are Water MN exhibit is on the road for its 2022 tour. Throughout the year, We Are Water MN will be visiting five different communities in the state of Minnesota: Winona, Lake City, Alexandria, Otter Tail County, and Dakota County. On The Watershed podcast, we'll be sharing series of episodes that reflect on the water stories of people who live in each of these places. We Are Water's first stop? Winona, Minnesota, where you can find the exhibit at the Winona County History Center through April 25th. Learn more: http://www.winonahistory.org/wearewater.html In our final episode featuring Winona, we speak with Sara Holger, lead naturalist at Whitewater State Park. Sara shares stories from Whitewater's Oral History Project. Since 2017, Sara has been gathering the diverse stories of Whitewater State Park visitors, local residents, current and retired park staff and other history and conservation professionals. Learn more about Whitewater State Park: Open Rivers article about the history of Whitewater State Park Whitewater State Park overview and visitor guidance Whitewater Watershed website Virtual tour of Whitewater State Park We are Water MN is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension, with support from the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment and the National Endowment for the Humanities. To learn more about We Are Water MN, visit us at our website. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

The We Are Water MN exhibit is on the road for its 2022 tour. Throughout the year, We Are Water MN will be visiting five different communities in the state of Minnesota: Winona, Lake City, Alexandria, Otter Tail County, and Dakota County. On The Watershed podcast, we'll be sharing series of episodes that reflect on the water stories of people who live in each of these places. We Are Water's first stop? Winona, Minnesota, where you can find the exhibit at the Winona County History Center through April 25th. Learn more: http://www.winonahistory.org/wearewater.html In today's episode of The Watershed, Winona community members tell stories about how water has guided their creativity through both art and the art of life. We are Water MN is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension, with support from the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment and the National Endowment for the Humanities. To learn more about We Are Water MN, visit us at our website. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

The We Are Water MN exhibit is on the road for its 2022 tour. Throughout the year, We Are Water MN will be visiting five different communities in the state of Minnesota: Winona, Lake City, Alexandria, Otter Tail County, and Dakota County. On The Watershed podcast, we'll be sharing series of episodes that reflect on the water stories of people who live in each of these places. We Are Water's first stop? Winona, Minnesota, where you can find the exhibit at the Winona County History Center through April 25th. Learn more: http://www.winonahistory.org/wearewater.html In today's episode of The Watershed, community members from Winona reflect on intense experiences with water that have impacted the way they see and move through the world. We are Water MN is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension, with support from the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment and the National Endowment for the Humanities. To learn more about We Are Water MN, visit us at our website. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

The We Are Water MN exhibit is on the road for its 2022 tour. Throughout the year, We Are Water MN will be visiting five different communities in the state of Minnesota: Winona, Lake City, Alexandria, Otter Tail County, and Dakota County. On The Watershed podcast, we'll be sharing series of episodes that reflect on the water stories of people who live in each of these places. We Are Water's first stop? Winona, Minnesota, where you can find the exhibit at the Winona County History Center through April 25th. Learn more: http://www.winonahistory.org/wearewater.html In today's episode of The Watershed, Winona community members share early experiences and formative moments that have helped shape their relationships with water. We are Water MN is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension, with support from the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment and the National Endowment for the Humanities. To learn more about We Are Water MN, visit us at our website. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

This season we are moving through the state of Minnesota, looking at an interesting fact about each county and giving you a book prompt from that fact. We will share six book suggestions to meet that prompt, to get you started on reading new books. You can also take that prompt and find any other book to meet the challenge! Today our prompt is inspired by Dakota County! This county is located in the southern area of the Twin Cities. The reading prompt comes from the Dakota language, after a local tribe Dakota that means "Allies" so this week, read a book about friends. We give you links to each of these books on our show notes page, taking you to Amazon.com. If you click on any of them, and buy anything at all - including a nice book - Amazon will send us a small percent of the profits they made on these sales. Thank you for supporting CMLE!

The We Are Water MN exhibit is on the road for its 2022 tour. Throughout the year, We Are Water MN will be visiting five different communities in the state of Minnesota: Winona, Lake City, Alexandria, Otter Tail County, and Dakota County. On The Watershed podcast, we'll be sharing series of episodes that reflect on the water stories of people who live in each of these places. We Are Water's first stop? Winona, Minnesota, where you can find the exhibit at the Winona County History Center through April 25th. Learn more: http://www.winonahistory.org/wearewater.html Today, we hear from Winona community members who speak to why they call Winona home, why they are drawn to Winona's unique landscape and the ways that water moves through it. We are Water MN is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension, with support from the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment and the National Endowment for the Humanities. To learn more about We Are Water MN, visit us at our website. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

President Michael Berndt and his staff only recently learned of the visit by President Biden. It's been a whirlwind of activity around campus....find out more by listening to his visit with Adam Carter.

Is there a reason he picked Congressional District 2 for his stop? Find out more from Blois Olson on today's edition of the Morning Take.

When the COVID-19 pandemic confined us to our homes, people found refuge and community in the region's parks, trails, and open spaces. The significant increase in park users challenged planners to find creative solutions to expand the capacity of these spaces to allow for safe, socially-distanced recreation and to engage users around the new future of parks. In this episode, we hear from Lil Leatham from Dakota County, and Adam Arvidson and Daniel Elias from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board about the impact of COVID-19 on parks, how they addressed these challenges and opportunities, and how they plan to use what they have learned moving forward.

This is the story of Maryann Stoffel, a 70-year old woman who misappropriated ~$650,000 from the Vermillion Township in Dakota County, Minnesota.

 In this episode, Rikka is joined by Sunny Bowman, president and general manager of Dakota County Lumber in Farmington, Minnesota. Sunny shares her insights into building a strong company culture, hiring and retaining a perfect fit for that culture, and more. Thanks to our sponsor,   Key-Link Fencing & Railing. Don't miss out on previous episodes of the LBM Journal Recruit + Retain Podcast!

Michelle Camilli and Jennifer Stevens join Tom to discuss the happenings in Dakota County Family Division. The biggest news is the new volunteer mediation program they launched with support of Judge Wahi. In addition, they discuss the new calendaring system for trials. Finally, they discuss the benefits of having a marketing wingman/woman to help you build your practice.

Governor Kim Reynolds says Iowa will join a group of Republican-led states ending pandemic-related federal programs that give extra cash to unemployed workers. Reynolds says the state will end the federal boost, including additional $300-a-week unemployment payments. Reynolds says benefits are keeping people from returning the work and are hindering the state's economy — a charge echoed by Republican governors in several other states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Montana and South Carolina. The benefits will end June 12. (See more information below from the state of Iowa) Sioux City School District teachers and support staff will receive a pay increase for the next school year. The Sioux City Community School board reached agreements with organizations that represent teachers and staff members at last night’s board meeting. According to the Sioux City Journal , teachers with a bachelor’s degree will see a $540 salary increase. The starting salary for a first-year teacher in Sioux City

The number of COVID-19 cases continues to fall in all three Siouxland States. The Iowa Department of Public Health showed no new deaths and about 100 new cases statewide. There were no new cases of COVID-19 in Woodbury County. However, the number of cases did drop by one since yesterday. The 14-day test positivity rate is 3.3%, one-half percent lower than the statewide level. Eight patients are being treated with the novel coronavirus in Sioux City. There have been 228 deaths in Woodbury County due to complications of COVID-19 and 82 in Dakota County where health officials added nine new cases in one week and a 7-day rolling positivity rate of almost 3%. Meanwhile, COVID-19 cases continue to track downward in South Dakota, there is one more death and 77 new coronavirus infections. Iowa will get $1.48 billion in aid under the federal government’s plan to help states hit by the coronavirus pandemic. The U.S. Treasury Department announced a state-by-state funding breakdown for President

Jennifer Stevens of Stevens Family Law and Mediation, PLLC and Liz Drotning Hartwell of Best and Flanagan join Tom to discuss how they built successful practices. Both had to restart their practice upon relocating to Minnesota from different states. Jennifer practiced in Indiana. Now, she has a solo practice in Dakota County. Liz was the managing partner at a firm in New Mexico. Now, she works at Best & Flanagan. They discuss how they made connections and built their business. In addition, they discuss parenting while building a practice.

Dakota County added five more COVID-19-related deaths yesterday, bringing its total to 76. The Northeast Nebraska county has 4,090 total cases of the virus and a seven-day rolling positivity rate of 3.75%, according to the Dakota County Health Department. No other Siouxland counties reported new COVID-19-related deaths on yesterday. Woodbury County added three new cases of the virus, bringing its case total to 15,006, according to Siouxland District Health Department. Its 14-day positivity rate on tests was 3.75%. Health officials have said anything above 5% is a concern. District Health reports that 12 patients were hospitalized yesterday at either MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center or UnityPoint Health -- St. Luke's, which was unchanged from Sunday. As of yesterday afternoon, 24,790 people in Woodbury County had received both shots of a two-dose vaccine, while another 2,885 had received a single-dose vaccine, according to state statistics. That's nearly 27% of the county's population.

In this episode, Rick talks with Sunny Bowman, owner, president, and self-proclaimed Chief Troubleshooter at Dakota County Lumber.  Listen in as they discuss core values, Centers of Excellence, work/life balance, continuous improvement, and even a little hockey. Thanks to our sponsor, DMSi. 

Drew & Schmitty chat with Jeff from Dakota County Technical College, and Mark from Chop Liver Productions about some recent news, upcoming fests, and more – Cheers!

Drew & Schmitty chat with Jeff from Dakota County Technical College, and Mark from Chop Liver Productions about some recent news, upcoming fests, and more - Cheers!

Calls for “dig once” policies have resonated for years. The general idea is that we can more fiber and conduit in the ground at lower prices if we coordinate to include them in various projects that already disturb the ground. In the south Twin Cities metro in Minnesota, Dakota County has been tweaking its dig … Continue reading "Dakota County is Fiber Rich Thanks to Dig Once Approach – Community Broadband Bits Podcast 117" ★ Support this podcast ★

This Club Book podcast features Elizabeth Berg at her February 26th event at Galaxie Library in Dakota County. One of the most prolific New York Times bestselling authors of the […]